Dear Jack: You are Now Spending Your Own Money on Car Cases

12 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

This time around with collecting Hot Wheels, you are only buying “real” cars; not the silly made-up ones. It’s basically like you are becoming Jay Leno, with his warehouses full of collectible vehicles.

You do your research online, and then scout the nearby stores for the ones that might carry the particular make and model you are looking for. Or you will actually by the Hot Wheels car online when you have to.

Not only are you spending your own money on buying the cars for your collection, but you are now also buying the collector’s cases to store them in as well.

It makes me wonder which actual car you will ended up driving here in a few years!

 

Love,

Daddy

Why Purchase A Car From Honda Car Deals Watertown NY 

You can buy a car from different sources. Depending on your car preferences and budget, you can opt to buy a car online, from a private party, or local auto dealerships.

If you’re planning to buy a car but still don’t know where, consider purchasing from a Honda Car Deal in Watertown, New York, and nearby cities. Buying from them enables you to enjoy a lot of benefits that you can’t get from anywhere else.

You want your car-buying experience to be memorable for all the right reasons. Aside from helping you achieve this goal, here are some other reasons why you should definitely buy a car from Honda Car Deals:

  1. They Can Provide More Options

Different people are looking for different things in a car. While some are looking for a car that has the most innovative safety features, others are paying more attention to the comfort of the driver and passengers will experience while being inside the car.

If you don’t want to run out of options, buy a car from Honda Car Deals. This dealership sells different car models, allowing you to buy one that suits your preferences and budget.

You can browse through their site, check their available car models, and schedule a trip to the dealership as soon as possible. When you know what cars are available in Honda Car Deals, it’ll be easier for you to narrow down your search and manage your expectations.

  1. They Offer OneOf The Best Financing Options

A car comes with an expensive price tag. This is one of the reasons why, even though people want to buy one, people end up not buying a car, even though they want and need one. If you’re one of them, don’t worry. Honda Car Deals can help you out. They can offer different financing options so you can afford the car you want.

Depending on your credit score and price of the car you want to buy, Honda Car Deals can offer short and long-term loans with flexible terms. When you avail any of these financing options, you’ll be able to own the car of your dreams without compromising your budget for your mortgage and other expenses.

  1. They Make Sure That You ExperienceThe Best Customer Service

One of the most common mistakes people have in buying a car is solely looking at the price. Sure, price is an important deciding factor, but this shouldn’t be your only consideration when buying a car.

If you want to experience a smooth car-buying process, you should also pay attention to how the dealership treats you as a customer. Are the sales reps talking to you with respect? Do they provide accurate and prompt answers to all of your questions? Do you feel valued as a customer whenever you step into their business establishment? Customer service is a factor that you should always look for when you’re buying a car.

If you want to create healthy and professional relationships with the people you’re buying a car from, work with Honda Car Deals. The sales reps working in this dealership are trained and skilled to provide you the best customer service you truly deserve. Once you choose to buy a car from them, the entire experience won’t be solely about buying a car – it’s also about creating meaningful friendships with professionals in the industry.

  1. They Can Provide The Assurance Of High-Quality Vehicles

As mentioned, you can buy a car from different sources. You can buy one from private parties or local websites. While buying from these sources is convenient, it doesn’t always guarantee the best results. This is especially true if you’re eyeing to buy from an individual seller. They can lie to you and tell you that the car is in tiptop condition even though it has underlying issues.

If you want to experience peace of mind, buy from Honda Car Deals. All of the cars sold through this dealership has undergone thorough inspections for quality, reliability, functionality, and safety. When you buy from Honda Car Deals, you can also enjoy warranties, which you can’t get from other dealerships and private parties. Because of the deals you can enjoy from Honda Car Deals, buying from them will surely provide value to your money!

Be Fully Prepared

For you to finally own the car of your dreams, start looking for Honda Car Deals near you. Talk to a sales rep and let them know what kind of car you’re looking for. Practice your negotiating skills so you’ll know how to score the best car deal. Act now so you can finally experience the wonders of owning a Honda!

Should You Buy Electric Cars for Kids: Considerations Before Buying One 

Are you struggling with your Christmas or birthday gift shopping for your kids? Have you taken a look at those electric cars in toy stores? Well, they are an excellent gift, and it’ll be terrifically fun for kids to play with them.

Typically, these electric cars are designed for kids ten years old and below. If you’re seriously thinking about giving your child an electric car, here are things to consider and look out for.

  1. Maximum Rider Weight 

Every electric car has a maximum rider weight indicated in their specifications. You may want to purchase electric cars for kids with some leeway for the weight, not exactly the same as the current weight range of your child. Children grow quickly, and you’d want to get something that your child will enjoy using for a long time. Hence, it’s recommended that you get an electric car with a higher maximum rider weight figure for your child.

  1. Parental Remote Control

Another useful feature to look out for is the parental remote control. For newer models, electric cars feature a parental remote control that allows adults to take control of the electric cars. This feature is specially built for those youngsters who are not as well coordinated as the older ones.

The parental remote control allows the usual forward and reverse gears with steering capabilities. Once the kids are able to drive and control their own electric cars, parents can stop using the parental remote control.

  1. Charging and Running Times

Similar to cell phones or laptops, electric cars for kids also have charging and running times that you may want to check. Some less pricey models have small batteries, which means they can only be used for a short time and they need to be charged again. You may want to get an electric toy car with bigger batteries, so your child can have uninterrupted play times. As expected, longer running times may mean longer charging times and a higher price tag.

  1. Safety

Of course, it is very important that your child remains safe while he rides his electric toy car. Here are some of the things you should check in a toy car:

  • Safety belts
  • Functional breaks
  • Material and build
  • Customer reviews

Generally, once these toy electric cars are in general toy stores, they are practically safe. But, it would not hurt to do a little more research on the brand reputation and ask friends or family about their experience with the brand just to make sure.

  1. Price Points

This goes without saying. Consider the price of the electric toy car before purchasing it. Here’s what you can do:

  • Look at the specifications and compare different kinds of cars before you make that purchase, especially when you are on a budget. Some electric cars have a higher price tag but provide fewer specifications. There may also be specifications in the toy car that your child wouldn’t need, and you can save some money by buying a more affordable one with fewer specifications but nevertheless works just as fine.
  • Explore a bunch of toy stores, preferably with your spouse, to make a better decision on which ones to purchase.
  • Make sure that the electric car you are buying includes a warranty from the manufacturer.

An electric toy car is definitely an extravagant gift for your child, and as such you want to make a sound buying decision to get your money’s worth. Take note of the considerations above when gift shopping for an electric toy car so you can give the most exciting and memorable gift that your child truly deserves.

  

Photos: Shutterstock

Dear Jack: Exploring Your Great-Uncle Johnny’s Car Collection During Spring Break

7 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

It was just about a month ago that you had a pretty cool Spring Break. On the way back from Ruby Falls in the Mazda CX-5, we actually had to drive right past my Uncle Johnny’s house near Chattanooga; which is also near Rock City, where our family would visit a couple of days later. So I let him know in advance, and he was ready for us when we stopped by.

He has the largest collection of classic cars compared to anyone else I personally know. I figured especially at your age now, getting to see his car collection would really be an awesome thing to do.

You obviously were amazed with each car Uncle Johnny proceeded to show you; which included several class Mustangs.

But I think your favorite of them all was his 1993 Ford 150 pick-up truck.

But our visit didn’t just consist of a car museum collection alone.

Uncle Johnny was thoughtful enough, and brave enough, to insist that you drive us around in his golf utility vehicle. Granted, I sat next to you and overtook the wheel and brake pedal for much of the chaotic drive, which included us missing a tree by a few inches.

That’s why I took you to my Uncle Johnny’s house, though.

I knew it would create a memorable experience for you at this age. I have to believe that years from now, you’ll say to me, “Daddy, was that a dream that time we were at that guy’s house and he had all these cars and trucks and then he even let me drive this little car across a field, to another garage where there was this truck I got to stand in?”

Then I can say, “No, that was real.” Here are the pictures to prove it.

Love,

Daddy

How to Make Your Family Car Last Longer: Guest Blog Post from Peter of Voice Boks

Having a car is like having another family member – it may not need as much care as a newborn, but it still requires lots of attention. And unless you want to change cars at the end of each year – most of us can’t even dream about it – you need to put in some time and effort into it. Luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune on regular car maintenance, but if you come up with a viable and sustainable plan, your car will definitely last longer than it would otherwise. Only with proper care can you make the most of your family car, so here are a couple of ways to improve its lifespan significantly.

Clean it regularly

Car hygiene might not sound like the most important thing in the world and most people don’t even clean their cars as often as they should, but it’s definitely one of the things that will make it run longer. The reason for this is corrosion – a simple chemical process that occurs naturally in a car without us even noticing it.

Corrosion is the biggest threat to any car’s health, particularly when it comes to older models, and a continual exposure to water, dirt and snow will speed things up quite a lot. That’s why washing your car is crucial because it not only minimizes corrosion, but also lets you realize whether certain parts of the car are covered in rust. So, hit the nearest carwash or do it on your own – but don’t forget to include the kids, as well!

No more pedal to the metal

Driving a fast car is every man’s fantasy, but if you’re driving a family car, you probably have other priorities in mind. Going 100 miles an hour sounds like a lot of fun, but not when your kids are screaming in the back seat, scared to death. Therefore, put your racing days behind you and slow down when driving your family – it’s not only a safer, but a smarter way to drive.

Whether you’re stuck in traffic or driving on a highway, it’s your job to be somewhere as soon as possible, especially if you’re late for a parent-teacher conference or a football practice. However, if you’re always pushing your car too hard, you’re putting it under an immense amount of pressure and even the most resilient and trustworthy models, such as the amazing 2004 Honda Element, won’t enjoy this. So, take it easy, don’t rush and keep your kids’ and your car’s safety in mind.

Hot and cold

Proper temperature regulation isn’t at the top of everyone’s priority list when it comes to everyday driving, but it should be, particularly when you’re starting a longer drive or planning a road trip with your family. And since most road trips take place in the summer, driving somewhere with your kids without a working A/C makes absolutely no sense. But, there’s more to it than comfort.

There are two huge problems a faulty A/C can cause – an expensive repair that’s going to make your mechanic several hundreds of dollars richer, or, alternatively, a complete engine meltdown, which is an even worse scenario. People who don’t check and repair their cooling systems from time to time are more susceptible to breakdowns, so try to prevent these problems by avoiding potentially dangerous situations and maintaining your cooling system on a regular basis.

Regular checkup

Speaking of proper maintenance, don’t forget to have your car checked by a professional regularly. Even though you can do some of the simpler things on your own – checking the water level, replacing the oil, making sure there’s enough windshield washer fluid, inflating your tires, etc. – you should definitely find a great mechanic who’ll be in charge of your car’s maintenance. And if you manage to find one with some extra experience in family cars, even better!

Maintaining your car can have a couple of surprising benefits, too – you’ll feel safer knowing there’s nothing wrong, while your kids can be sure daddy’s always going to be there to drive them wherever they need to go. The only problem you may have is a lack of time – if you work all day long and try to spend some quality time with your family during the weekend, you won’t have enough time to take your car to a mechanic. That’s why more and more people contact a reliable mobile mechanic who can come to your home, do the checkup and fix whatever needs to be fixed right in your garage!

Other ideas

Some of the other ways to make sure your car is reaching its full potential include packing less weight in the trunk, parking it in the garage during the winter, driving more smoothly than usual and replacing tires as soon as you notice signs of wearing.

Peter is a parenting and lifestyle writer for Voice Boks magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.